20-Minute Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

This creamy Cajun chicken pasta comes together in about 20 minutes, and it’s comfort food made easy for busy nights.

Tender chicken, penne and a creamy Parmesan sauce with just the right amount of Cajun kick. It tastes like a restaurant dish, but it’s totally weeknight-friendly.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ready in about 20 minutes
• Creamy, cheesy and full of flavor
• High in protein
• Simple pantry ingredients

What You’ll Need

• Chicken breast: 1 pound, cut into bite-size pieces.
• Penne pasta: 8 ounces.
• Olive oil: 1 tablespoon.
• Cajun seasoning: 2 teaspoons. Use less for little ones.
• Garlic: 3 cloves, minced.
• Chicken broth: 1 cup.
• Heavy cream: ¾ cup.
• Grated Parmesan: ½ cup.
• Cornstarch: 2 teaspoons, optional, to help thicken the sauce.
• Salt and pepper: to taste.

How to Make Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Cook the pasta

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Save about ½ cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 2: Cook the chicken

Season the chicken with Cajun seasoning. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until browned and cooked through.

Step 3: Make the sauce

Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Pour in the broth and scrape up the browned bits. Stir in the cream and Parmesan and simmer for 2–3 minutes, until slightly thickened. Add the cornstarch if it needs help thickening.

Step 4: Toss

Add the pasta and toss to coat. Add a splash of pasta water if needed to reach your favorite consistency.

Busy Mom Tips

• Use rotisserie chicken when you need dinner on the table even faster.
• Go light on the Cajun seasoning (or set aside plain pasta) for little ones.
• Approximate macros per serving: 600 calories, 47g protein, 59g carbs, 22g fat.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make Cajun chicken pasta less spicy?

Go light on the Cajun seasoning, or set aside some plain pasta for little ones.

How do I thicken the sauce?

Simmer it a little longer, or stir in the 2 teaspoons of cornstarch.

Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes! Shredded rotisserie chicken gets dinner on the table even faster. Just warm it through in the sauce.

How to Store and Reheat

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth or milk to loosen the sauce.

More Recipes You’ll Love

• Easy Taco Casserole with Ground Beef
• High-Protein Hot Honey Beef Bowls
• Crockpot Sausage Rotel Dip

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

A creamy, flavorful pasta dinner that comes together in about 20 minutes. This is comfort food made easy for busy nights.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

Course: Main Course

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces
• 8 oz penne pasta
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tsp cornstarch optional, to help thicken
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

 

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve about ½ cup pasta water before draining.
2. Season chicken with Cajun seasoning.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through.
4. Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
5. Add chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
6. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened. This is where you might need to add those 2 tsp of cornstarch to help with thickness.
7. Add cooked pasta and toss until everything is coated in the sauce.
8. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to reach your desired consistency.

Notes

HBM Tip: Use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken from scratch when you need to get dinner on the table even faster.

Approximate macros per serving:
600 calories | 47g protein | 59g carbs | 22g fat